Views from a United Church of Christ Minister

Monday, July 30, 2012

In the language of the church, I want to work toward the Beloved Community -- a place where homelessness and poverty are no more. To move us forward, I'd settle for a housing levy that provides a stable source of funding to build affordable housing in Portland. We cannot end homelessness without housing. That's a lesson that was obvious 25 years ago, and it's a crime that we're dealing with the same issues a quarter of a century later.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

It was an honor to today spend just a few moments with President Barack Obama before he spoke at an event here in Portland, Ore. Like many people of faith, I have strong personal support for the president. There are always issues where you disagree with politicians - some of them very important issues - but the core values and ideals lived out by Barack Obama are values that I share. The president often says, quoting from Scripture, that we are our brother's keeper, our sister's keeper. It is that belief that has lead this president to fight for health care reform and an economy that works for everyone - not just the wealthy. Today I told the president that I pray for him and his family - and I do, along with all those who serve in public life - because we need people of moral character in this nation today as much as ever.

Disclaimer: As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I trust deeply in the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state and my endorsement is therefore a personal one and does not reflect on my denomination. But as a citizen I believe that all Americans must engage in the political process as individuals for democracy to thrive. So I choose to participate in the political process as an individual when appropriate.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

This weekend was the annual Bald Eagle Festival in Cathlmet, Washington. As the Citizen of the Year for 2011 in Cathlamet, my mother - Judy Bright - was scheduled to ride in the festival's parade yesterday. Taking her place were her five grandchildren who rode atop a fire truck (mom had been a volunteer EMT among many other activities) with their grandfather, Dr. John C. Thomas.

It was for our family another opportunity to be reminded of all the great things that Judy Bright did for her community and for us. We, of course, miss her deeply each and every day.

Update via The White House: President Obama has issued a proclamation that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at the White House and at all public buildings and grounds until sunset on July 25.

Update: In response to this tragedy and recent shootings in Portland, my sermon this Sunday at University Park Church (9:30 am) and Sunnyside Church (11am) will be a reflection on Psalm 23, one of the lectionary readings for this week, and how Christians might better respond to gun violence. This represents a change from the original theme planned for worship this week at both churches.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

We do not know each other and to my knowledge have not had the opportunity to meet. You might not be aware that I have a long history of working to push our community in the direction of ending homelessness.

You are not the first person to engage in a hunger strike over this issue in Oregon. Such strikes have never caused long-term change.

I agree with all of the points you are advocating but perhaps your most ambious goal - to get the city to place a housing levy on the ballot this fall - would be doomed to failure. Sadly, neither our politicans, homeless advocates or the faith community have done enough to build support for such a levy. I want one. I wanted one years ago. But to put a levy on the ballot now would only set our cause back because the public is not ready to embrace it. It would be defeated in a fall election. We need to better educate the community about the rewards such a levy could bring.

The civil rights issues you have lifted up are serious ones and I agree that no one should be arrested for sleeping outside when we do not provide enough shelter. That is why we are currently allowing people to sleep at one of my two congregations. But sadly, our City Council is not ready to address the civil rights issues you raise. We will need the courts and other vehicles to move them forward.

I hope very much that you will end your hunger strike. Not because your cause isn't a just one - it is - but because you've done your part for now and voices like yours will be needed tomorrow and in the years to come.

Until now I have remained silent over your fast because you have not asked for my support and no one has requested that I comment. As a minister, however, I feel I must speak up now and encourage you to end your fast and address your health issues before permanent damage is done to your body.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The decision by the Boy Scouts to re-affirm their policy of discriminating against gay and lesbian people should cause churches that host the Boy Scouts to reconsider their relationship with the organization.

As NPR reports, the Boy Scouts have decided after a 2-year review to maintain their policy which states:

"While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA."

Discrimination against people who are gay and lesbian is contrary to the Greatest Commandment.

Few would question the overall value of the Boy Scout program. But if the Boy Scouts are going to maintain that discrimination is a morally valid practice it is time for our churches to determine if the mission of the Boy Scouts is still compatiable with the mission of our churches.

Monday, July 09, 2012

We've seen plenty of evidence of the last couple of years that the Tea Party has plenty of racist members willing to put their racism front and center. That occurred again on the 4th of July - a day thay should unite all Americans - when Tea Party members in New Mexico attached a Confederate battle flag to their float in a local parade. People of faith must continue to condemn this extremism and demand that no one use race or religion or sexual orientation as a tool to divide people. My firm belief is that most Americans regardless of political party find this kind of behavior offensive. Politicians that court the Tea Party vote should make clear they strongly reject racism. Churches and other faith bodies should use every opportunity to demand that for the common good of our nation that political movements not seek to rip apart our national community but build it up.

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

“There are three kinds of patriots, two bad, one good. The bad ones are the uncritical lovers and the loveless critics. Good patriots carry on a lover's quarrel with their country, a reflection of God's lover's quarrel with all the world.” - The Rev. William Sloane Coffin

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. We have so much to celebrate about the United States of America. As a people, we have weathered many great storms and worked over time to improve our country. Nothing has been easy about our history and many people have made great sacrifices for the common good - including giving up their lives.

It is the common good that we still need to fight for today. The times that I'm critical of our nation or our leaders is not because of a lack of love for country but rather the "lover's quarrel" (Coffin's words) that I carry on with America about how we can be a better place. As a minister, I have a special responsibility to lift up the ideal of the Beloved Community not just for our nation but for the planet. No one should live a third world life in a first world country. We must take urgent action to protect our environment from human caused climate change. All people were created equal. Our nation must fulfill that by extending equality to all in the workplace with equal pay and by embracing marriage equality.

Sunday, July 01, 2012

This morning I had my first services at both University Park Church and Sunnyside Church. The sermon, "Why Church?" had a simple message: "My belief is that the Christian faith should be a movement that preaches a social gospel that helps build up the Kingdom. Church shouldn’t just be a Sunday experience but a lifestyle that sends us forth out into the world with the hope that we can make it better, following the example that Jesus himself left for us." As a United Church of Christ minister serving two Reconciling Congregations in the United Methodist Church, I am convinced we can bring an ecumenical spirit to the mission of the church by preaching a message that is progressive and faithful. The times call for a boldness of witness that pushes the envelope and engages the community around the radical notion that love is more powerful than hate and that the pursuit of justice is more responsible than contentment with the status quo. It is my good fortunate to find myself in two congregations and two denominations that share that sentiment.

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Views expressed here represent the perspectives of Rev. Currie, as well as reader participants, and may not represent the views of Pacific University, the United Church of Christ’s national offices in Cleveland or any local UCC congregation. External links made from this site should not construe an endorsement. Rev. Currie has no more editorial control over such content than does a public library, bookstore, or newsstand. Such external links are made for informational purposes only.